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Saturday, December 24, 2011

The B Magic Shop, an experience!

Wanna know how not to run a brick and mortar store? Then check out the B Magic Shop in Arlington Texas. They are open since the first of December and the shop itself in the not so nice part of town. When you drive there is is pretty much the first glimpse:

A magic friend called the store before going there.

On December 1st (Opening Day), I called the B Magic Shop. Here's how that conversation went:

Store: Hello?
Friend: Is this the B Magic Shop?
Store: Who is calling?
Friend: (I repeat) Is this the B Magic Shop?
Store: (He repeats) Who is calling?
Friend: A potential customer...did I reach the B Magic Shop?
Store: (awkward pause) Yes
Friend: What time do you close today?
Store: When you want to come?
Friend: I don't know...what are your hours?
Store: When you want to come?
Friend: I don't know...maybe today...when do you close?
Store: I'm probably leaving at 4pm today (10 minutes from then).
Friend: Oh, ok, thank you.
Store: WAIT! When you wanna come?
Friend: No idea, I'll swing out there sometime soon.
Store: WHEN?
Friend: I don't know? Maybe next week sometime.
Store: (CLICK) Hangs up.

But still being curious about this mysterious new shop he went there.

I decided that TODAY was the day and I would head out to visit the B Magic Shop for myself. GPS starts to lead me thru Arlington and I begin to get that "not so great feeling" in the pit of my stomach as I'm leaving the nice part of town, and I begin to drive thru the "not so great part" of town. Very depressed area, buildings falling apart and in some need of some repair. But I venture forward and arrived at the shop at 12pm (noon). They were closed. I found it mildly humorous they were closed because they had a larger banner on the window that read "WE ARE OPEN!"

I peaked inside the windows and the showroom was a mess. It was dirty, the industrial carpet was old and coming up from the floor in places. The back wall was lined with shelves of DVDs. They appeared to be very old and worn and not in "new/pristine" condition. Since I couldn't get my hands on them, I couldn't tell if they were pirated copies or not, but the appearance of them leads me to believe so. There was a long display case that had B Magic Shop spray painted on the front with some small gadget stuff inside (cards, ball vases, etc.). Couldn't make out much of what was in there. The props I saw on the other shelving all looked to be either "home made" props with poor paint jobs, or old dirty and broken things in major need of repair. Not the kinds of stuff you would expect to see in a NEW Magic Shop Showroom. Pretty bad secondimpression since they've been open now for 19 days. If I didn't know better, I would assume that the tenants in the space got evicted and just abandoned their product in the store.

If you check out their website you will find obvious rip offs of Losander's Tables as low as $70, Neilson Bottles for $8 and the Dean's Box for $69.00.

The shop was suggested as a WMF but I cannot do that. I got this strict rule: If they don't ridicule themselves on the internet I leave them alone. But because of the obvious sale of rip offs via their website they get an honorable mention from me. So if you wanna buy stuff from them, I suggest not to.

The part of town the shop is in isn't really rough, it's just not affluent. Heck, the magic lectures in town are he'll in. A restaurant in worse shape than this strip center.

I had a similar experience to the reporter -- have been by a few times since it is only about ten minutes away from my house. The shop looks newly put together on a shoestring, kind of like moving a garage or basement based magic resale business into the cold light of real overhead and billpaying.

Supposedly some of their stuff comes in trade, but I haven't been inside yet to see what is what.

Real hatchet job you did on this magic store. Some of it not even substantiated. He can and probably should sue you for defamation.Shame on you. This is reckless journalism.Interesting that this review was made by Christopher Lyles on the Magic Cafe. The Magic Cafe deleted the thread because of legal ramifications. Yet you posted it in the first person.

I clearly say that it was not me going there. About the claim of reckless journalism. I am far from journalism. So that is null and void. This is a blog on my views about magic and magic individuals. About certain behaviors by dealers, magicians and so on. Free Speech and all.

HAHAHAHAHA, YOU FROM MAGIC ETC ONLY CAN EAT SHIT, AS I TOLD YOU,VERY SOON I WILL SEND YOU BANKRUPCY PAPERS..YOU SEND TO OUR SHOP POLICE, YOU WRITE AGAINST US IN MAGIC CAFFE, YOU SEND EMAIL TO EVERYONE NOT TO GO TO VISIT B MAGIC SHOP,ARE YOU SCARED SO MUCH FROM B MAGIC SHOP?

Your negative comments are ridiculous, based on looking in the window of the establishment. Obviously you have a hidden agenda, I am glad to see there is a new magic shop which has opened its doors in this rough economy!

I have ordered from this company online and the order came fast and the prices cannot be beat! Why not give people a chance instead of acting like a jealous teenager? It is know it all jackasses like you that ruin our art, you will probably not even post my comment I can tell you are on a power trip. Chuck

I have had a very similar experience with B Magic Shop. These guys stole about a hundred dollars from me by falsely claiming that they carried name brand merchandise then sending me cheap, damaged and poorly made knock offs. Then he lectured me that I should have known he was going to send me poor quality. Every item they sent me was either damaged, incomplete, or fake. Next time I am spending the extra money for a good product and good customer service. They guys are flat out dishonest. Do not order online from them.

I had a horrid experience as well. The owner sent me the wrong color of cane and told me to send it back and pay shipping. So I did. When I did, he told me that I had sent him something I bought on ebay instead. What? I offered to pay shipping both ways but he insisted that I swapped out items (where did ebay come from). He called me names and made false accusations against me in very angry tones. He then sent me a list of all his friends and acquaintances (which included Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, David Blaine, and Mother Teresa).

B Magic Shop listed a few items on Ebay a few months back. When the items did not sell for as high as the seller wanted he refused to honor the winning bid amounts to myself and several others. To add insult to injury, he insulted us then resorted to cussing and racial slurs. Ebay removed his account because he had so many negative feedbacks. This guy has a serious attitude problem and sells nothing but cheap Chinese knock-offs. Do yourself a favor and do not patronize this racist pr*ck. It is a good thing this shop is not within driving distance to me. Good thing he refused my bids. You can read all about the people that he ripped off here http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=452618&forum=98&12

HUNDEN FASHISTEN MOTHER FUCKER, STORBEN HITLEREN SCHWAINEN SHAIZEN GERMANEN.TOD CAPUT MAHEN ALE NAZISTEN SHWWAINEN,FUCK FACEYOU ARE UGLY MOTHER FUCKER SON OF A BICH GO KILL YOU SELF,IDIOTEN, SHAIZEN,TELL ME WHO ALL OF YOU GERMANS ARE SO UGLY, DAS THIS MEAN YOUR MOMS FUCKS ONLY WITH CHEHOSLOVAKIAN GYPSYS?I SEE YOUR FACE,YOU ARE ONE OF THIS CHEHOSLOVAKIAN SHITS FUCK FACES..OR THEY FUCK WITH AFRICAN MONKEYS?MAN I WOULD MIND TO KISS THE AFRICAN MONKEYS, BUT YOU,HONEST TO GOD, I WOULD SHOT A BULLET IN YOUR UGLY FUCK NAZI FACE.IM SHAME SAYING IM A EUROPEAN,CATHOLIC,FUCK OF,HUNDEN GERMANEN SHAIZEN. GET LOST LOST MAN,UGLY FUCK FACE.

Everyone that has had disputes with Beijing Magic and voiced it has received e-mails with similar hateful racist rants in broken English. I'm surprised that he has the time to write each and every one of us several times when he allegedly has a magic shop to run. Well, it looks Benny isn't ripping nearly enough people off fast enough. On a seriosu note, I think he should seek out some psychiatric help. He obviously has some serious emotional and mental issues to contend with. My mentalist prediction is: out of business hopefully sooner than later.

It has been a couple of days now and I still can't stop laughing at that e-mail. Aside from people with Tourette syndrome, I never knew that the mentally disturbed could be so funny. I almost feel inclined to thank him for all of the entertainment over the past few days. Well, almost.

I took a chance and drove out to B Magic after reading all of the negative reviews. In traffic on a saturday it is a bit of a trip. About an hour. I was fully expecting the worst as to not be disappointed. I was still excited though to be going to a magic shop since there aren't many around here anymore. I usually have to do all of my shopping online. I prefer to support actual stores when the opportunity is there. I arrived with my girlfriend and as we pull up we see a man standing outside. He waves at us and as I walk up to the door he greets and shakes our hands. He welcomes us to his shop and said to come in and have fun. Not at all like the previous posts descriptions of this man. He performed many tricks for us while we were there and he told us a bit about his background in magic and restaurant business. He had new and many traded in items. A wall of DVDs, some I hadn't seen in a long time and others that were fairly new releases. I purchased a few items from him and he gave me a great deal, a few DVDs and supplies. He even gave me a really cool effect on the house. I was invited to come back to meet his guest speakers and attend their workshops. He told me that afterwards we would go out to dinner. I'm really looking forward to meeting David Stone and having dinner with him next Monday. He invited me to come meet David Blaine when he visits in a few weeks. This man just seems like someone who loves magic and wants to make it accessible to magicians without charging the big boy prices. He showed tons of photos of him with great magicians. He see pretty genuine. I'm writing this because I don't think that it is fair for others to write such horrible things about a person they have not even met. I went in very skeptical but left a returning customer and friend. We probably spent an hour and a half at his shops owed my girfriend big for that because magic is my thIng not hers. He was just so excited about performing that he kept showing us more. Don't get me wrong. He wasn't trying to shove products at us. He was just wanting to entertain. My point again is to say just give the guy a chance he didn't seem anything like the horrible things that were being said about him. I'm heading back out after work tomorrow just to hang out and talk magic and buy some stuff. Isn't that what a magic. Store is for? So magicians can get together in a friendly environment and have fun?Frank McGee AKA Cassidy

Maybe we weren't clear. We have met this man. We have bought from this man. We have received horrible service and insulting (sometimes racist) emails from this man. We know him. And whereas he may be a great guy to have a beer with, he is a horrible businessperson. We have a ton of options in the magic community and we have to look out for each other.

I WOULD SAY YOU DO NOT KNOW HIM,NOR YOU EVER BOUGHT ANYTHING FROM HIM, YOU ARE, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE,ANYWAY GOOD TRY, IF I WAS YOU I WOULD DO THE SAME TO KEEP MY JOB AT MAGIC ETC, IN FT.WORTH, I DO NOT BLAME YOU, YOU FIGHT TO KEEP THE JOB, BUT BENNY WITH B MAGIC SHOP,WILL TAKE A LOT OF BUSINESS.YOU CAN NOT COMPARE WITH HIS PRICES,WITH MAGIC PRODUCTS, I WOULD SAY, YOU WILL BE VERY SOON WITHOUT JOB,THIS IS WHAT SCARES YOU AND MAGIC ETC.BENNY GOOD LUCK, AND SEE YOU FOR DAVID STONE LECTURE.

I hate to break it to you but we all know it's you. To be polite, you have this way of communicating that makes you stick out like a sore thumb.

Benny, it's really simple. Stop advertising name brand products then deliver cheap Chinese goods. If you're going to sell cheap Chinese goods, tell us that so we can make an informed decision. Don't get pissed off when we ask for a return after you lie to us. Just because it looks like a Mercedes doesn't mean it's a Mercedes. Also, stop being such a douchebag with people who complain about you. What business owner in his right mind makes personal threats and harasses his former customers? Just be honest and be nice and good things will happen. If you keep baiting and switching people, consider yourself lucky if your business makes it to October.A couple of English courses wouldn't hurt either big guy.

He is apparently too stupid to realize that most people do not type rants in broken English in all capitals. He may very well be passionate about the art of magic and a very nice guy in person when you are patronizing his shop but he shows a completely different persona when dealing with customers on the internet. He's an angry, offensive, hateful and racist person that spews psychotic racial rants in broken English. His e-mail that got posted above is a very good example.

Hey guys read who is Richard Mendez and what email he sends to the guys at b magic shop, Iwonder das he has a balls to tell this to his face,or he is strong enough under his moms dres to send such emails... Please guys read this,you can find this at

If David Stone, Raphael Benatar, Dan Garrett or Allen Ackerman read all of these posts...what would you tell them? Do you think your behavior and words are appropriate for magicians of their reputation? These are some of the finest magicians in the country and you are embarrassing not only yourself but them as well.

If David Stone, Raphael Benatar, Dan Garrett or Allen Ackerman read all of these posts...what would you tell them?

DO YOU KID,FOR REAL THING THEY ARE ALL STUPID LIKE YOU, THEY WILL BELIEVE YOU? WHAT A LOSER YOU ARE, KID GO CHANGE YOUR DIAPERS,YOU STINK MAN.

YOU BELIEVE THEY WILL BELIEVE YOU OVER CHUCK CAPUTO,BILL GROOME,NATHAN KRANZO,STEVE REYNOLDS, JORDON HOHAN, I WOULD SAY THEY WILL BELIEVE IF THEY POST,BUT SOME KID WITH DIRTY DIAPERS? I DON'T THINK SO. GROVE UP KID, ALO KID,YOU ARE BUYING FROM MAGIC DEALERS NOT FROM EBAY AND WALL MART,WHERE YOU CAN PLAY THE GAME AS YOU LIKE IT. HOW MANY GUYS YOU SCREWED IN EBAY.. NOT HERE NOT IN MY PLACE FOR SURE.

Benny I'm not screwing you. You're doing all of the heavy lifting yourself. They don't have to believe me. All they have to do is read your words. You like to use racist, foul language with your former customers. One thing you're going to learn sooner or later is that price is not the only reason people buy. Ethics and customer service are huge, especially when people are buying online and can't see you or your merchandise up close. Imagine if I was waiting in line behind another gentleman at your store and I heard you call his mother a whore like you posted above or called him a dirty Filipino or a sex offender. I would walk out immediately. I don't care how low your prices are, the way you do business and the way you talk to people is a disgrace to the magic community. Anyone who buys from you is asking for a big headache. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to change my diaper.

Personally I wouldn't buy from either one of them but if you're going to get a language barrier anyway go with King Magic. They're 1/3 of the price of B Magic Shop AND you can actually return damaged merchandise for a partial refund. Sincerely Yours, Mr. Stink Man

Yeah,I just ordered some dvd's from b-magic shop on e-bay. It was a terrible experience. I ordered them on July 2nd and July 5th he sent me an e-mail saying because of the holidays he was going to ship them on the 6th.(why didn't he do it the day after I ordered them..but ok...but then why not the day he sent the e-mail)......then I get an e-mail on the 9th saying he was having someone else ship them and I should get them soon. I finaly get them on the 14th....oh yeah...Im 1 state over. So I leave him neutral feedback and he sends my an email cursing me out saying he cannot control the USPS but he shipped it a week after I ordered. Avoid this seller at all cost, we have lots of other places to get our magic from.

Roland--Just a heads-up... You wrote some months ago that you didn't have to worry about libel laws because you weren't a journalist-- just a blogger exercising his right to free speech. Unfortunately for bloggers, there have been multiple court cases ruling that bloggers may indeed be sued for libel. The libel laws don't refer specifically to newspapers, but to any written public statement. Blogs ARE the modern newspaper, and the courts have recognized it.

The bad news is that this guy could sue you. The good news is that you could get a Pulitzer!

I really don't worry. I'm very clear about the fact, that all of what I'm saying on my blog is my opinion. And honestly, rereading what I wrote, I see nothing that qualifies as slander. I stated facts, backed up by photos. I quoted a magic buddy, also backed up by photos and my suggestion was not to do business with the owner, if you don't want to buy knock off items. Nothing I stated was wrong or not fact checked. I cannot see how stating truth is even considerable as libel or slander.

B MAGIC SHOP IS THE WORST BUSINESS I HAVE EVER BOUGHT FROM. It takes a lot to make me mad but B Magic Shop did it. They wasted $200 of my money by sending me broken and fake products. Thanks you for posting this to let other magicians know never to buy from them.

The Arlington, Texas Magic Shop known as B Magic Shop has sold counterfeits using a series of aliases on eBay such as neomagic2011; what is interesting is that the package I received had the logo and address of B Magic Shop, but PayPal revealed that Marcelino Deliger received the credit. I also noted that other eBay postings had many items with a "Location" of Athens. Marcelino Deliger once resided (and was possibly born) in Athens, Greece, but appears to reside in Las Vegas, Nevada. Internet sources indicate Bennys full name appears to be Benny Sula. Be aware that your shipment may be from 1902 W. Pioneer Parkway, Suite #100 in Arlington, TX, or from 1215 N. Cooper Street in Arlington. Be aware that Benny or Marcelino could use a variety of aliases on eBay. I am suspicious of ANY listing with a location of Arlington, TX, Athens, Athens - Greece -- regardless of their alias. (I could list at least 3 suspected aliases.) RED FLAG: if the price appears to be too low, it very likely could be a counterfeit from an Asian country, such as CHINA. They are very good replicating DVDs, the covers on DVDs, and the product itself. RED FLAG: if a seller denies he is selling a knock-off in his product description and encourages you to buy from him. Understand that unethical sellers will use a variety of aliases to cover-up negative feedback. When feedback gets bad, they establish a new alias. Be especially alert that DVDs (and the apparatus itself) can be easily copied in Asian Countries. Be aware that Richard Sanders DVD's and those of Chris Smith are prime targets, as well as the merchandise of Joe Porper. Please note there is definitely a Chinese Knock-off (replica) of Chris Smith's "Ignition". I also have a paper trail plus electronic evidence, e-mails, pictures, copies of past eBay postings, and MUCH MUCH more to back-up everything stated in this reply. eBay is taking action as well as several other interested parties. Don't get "snared in by a low price" and get CAUGHT by unethical sellers. Buy from reputable magic dealers.

Took me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be Very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained!wholesale magic

Hello everybody I use to work their for 2 days and it was a fun experience but his sleights are easy to see. I'm just a 16 who was just trying to find a fun job. He paid me with magic even though it was just for two days it was for a bazaar job! I read this article and it just broke my heart to know a friend of mine was like this, but it's true he is racist and rude. He was talk bull about Mexicans in front of me! Please don't get riped off from him-Jimmy Magicks

It's interesting that it is April 24/2014 and I just had 99% of the same experience with B Magic under another name on eBay. Was winning bidder on a DVD set and asked to be notified when item was shipped as seller had 0 feedback. Spent days being insulted and accused of all kinds of things in response to asking for date it was shipped. B Magic canceled the sale. I assumed I was dealing with some rude kid who had no understanding of eBay or magic community or how to run a business and customer service. Later found it to be B Magic and stumbled into his web site, his feedback reviews and this blog. I expressed kindly suggestions to improve his dealing with customers and importance of his reputation in magic community. Only responses I got were rants of false accusations, personal character assaults and cursing. Guess it is still business as usual. Very sad when respectful service would be gladly supports by magic community to his own long term profit.

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The comments in the comment section are not moderated or censored by me in any way, unless it is spam or spoils magic secrets. That doesn't mean that I agree with everyone. And if somebody claims something that is wrong or something that might hurt someone, leave me out of any legal issues that might develop from this.